scoveries I could make: And as I
went along the _Strand_, I met with a young Woman by the New _Exchange_,
who pretending to stumble, catch'd hold of my Coat, to save her self from
falling, and begg'd my Pardon for her Rudeness: I soon understood her
meaning, and looking upon her to be one of those Cattle I was in quest of,
I ask'd her whither she was going? She told me as far as _Sheer-Lane_, to
an Aunt of hers, where she Lodged, and she should be glad of my Company; by
which, being confirmed in what I before thought, I bid her go on, and I
would follow her, which I also did: and coming to the place said he, I
found there an old wither'd Bawd, who presently had us into a Room, and
ask'd us what we wou'd drink? I told her what the young Woman pleas'd; who
hereupon call'd for a Bottle of Ale. I told her I cou'd'nt drink, and
therefore bid her call her Aunt to drink with her: The old Woman coming in,
I bid her sit down, and ask'd her, how long she had follow'd that Trade;
What Trade, Sir, says she? Of keeping Nieces, said I: For I understand you
are this young Woman's Aunt. O Sir, said she, you are a merry Gentleman. I
have followed this Trade of being an Aunt, ever since Age made me uncapable
of being a Niece. That's a long Time ago, said I; but I believe it had been
better for you to have gone a _Nurse-keeping_, then a _Neice-keeping_.
That's your mistake Sir, says she: For as old as I am, I had rather hear a
young Girl and a brisk Spark Sing their Song by Turns, than to hear an old
Man grunting a Bed, and be oblig'd to hang my Nose continually over a
Close-Stool or a Chamber-Pot. A Glass of good Ale or Wine now and then, or
a Dram of cool _Nantz_, is more chearing to my old Spirits, than to be
sipping and tasting a little Stale Pearl Cordial or Juleps, or indeed any
Apothecaries Slop. Well, said I, you are a cunning old Woman; but pray let
me talk now to your Neice a little. Pray, how many such Aunts have you?
Why, truly Sir, said she, I have one at every corner of the Town, and lodge
sometimes with one, and sometimes with another, as I have occasion. Well
but, said I, had you not better go to Service then be burdensome to your
Freinds? No, Damn it, says she, I had rather be my own Mistress, and go to
Bed and rise when I will, then to be curb'd by every Snotty Dame. I
remember once, said she, I met with an old Master, who had a Colts Tooth in
his Head, and he would be smugling me, and kissing me in a corner, tho his
Breath